Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur has admitted that he had the possibility to move to the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer.
During 2022-23, the 31-year-old had one of his worst seasons in a Spurs shirt, with only 10 goals and six assists in 36 Premier League appearances.
Although his numbers were good in their own right, his lack of consistency led to speculation that Spurs would cash in on the South Korean international if a deal comes in.
Son was said to be on the Saudi Pro League’s wishlist at the start of their aggressive effort to acquiring new players.
Son would have been offered a move to Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, who are headed by former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
However, whispers of a transfer faded as swiftly as they came, with Son committing his immediate future to the Premier League club.
Spurs are now managed by a new head coach, Ange Postecoglou, who prefers an attacking approach and could execute a strategy to help the versatile forward have a stronger season.
Son stated at a press conference that he will play for Spurs next season, acknowledging that if he had chosen to leave this summer, he could have done so with Al-Ittihad.
Speaking to reporters, Son said: “If I wanted to go there, I would not be here! I love playing football. Obviously money is also important but I dream for playing Premier League.”
Son has become a legendary figure at Tottenham Hotspur since his debut in 2015, contributing 145 goals and 80 assists in 372 games across all competitions.
Son has scored 103 goals and given 58 assists in the Premier League, a total that he will want to significantly increase during the 2023-24 season, when Spurs will not be competing in Europe.
Chairman Daniel Levy may try to hold contract talks with Son in the near future, as the player’s current contract expires in two years.
However, Levy’s immediate priority is to keep Harry Kane at the club, as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer is garnering serious interest from Bayern Munich.
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